Korea Racing Seoul Preview – 24 January

Saturday January 24, 2026

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 45 Million

Three-year-old maiden fillies in the opener, with all but two racing for the first time. Those experienced two will be at the top of most tickets. (9) STUNNING DOLPHIN was 2^nd on debut, going down by just over a length having been close to the pace throughout. She should have come on for that and can go one better today. (12) YONGWONHAN SOLEO also ran 2^nd on her debut, finding a handy position from the same widest gate she draws today and then running on. She was nine-lengths behind a very nice-looking winner, but her time was good and she is the danger. As for the newcomers, (11) THE SUN STORY probably had the best trial and along with (5) CHEONGGANG BOM and (4) SEMYEONG HEIDI, may be the most likely to make an immediate impact.

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1200M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(9) IKKEULIM did nothing in two starts at the end of summer but after a couple of months out, he returned and won a trial in fine order, leading all the way, on January 8^th. Maia is on and if he brings that effort to the races, he can win. (1) BEST CHEONHA was an improved 4^th at start three over this distance on December 7^th. He has raced on pace in each of his outings so far so from the inside gate he can be expected to be at the front early and in this a long way. (2) BEST A ONE was slowly away last time and didn’t do much but wasn’t miles off it two starts back when 5^th at 1300M and that’s enough to have hi as a place chance here. (7) THE SUN MONSTER and (6) CHEONJI JACKAL could potentially improve.

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1400M) Special Weight A / KRW 30 Million

(9) SU BU TAI has three top five finishes from five attempts with his best being his latest when he beat a couple of today’s rivals on his way to 3^rd place over this distance on December 28^th, settling midfield and running on. He’ll be favoured to score here. (4) BEAT FRESH was an improved 3^rd at start two over this distance on December 27^th. Third-up he can be peaking fitness-wise and the step up in trip can suit. (5) POMADE enters off a best to date 4^th when tried at this distance for the first time on December 14^th. He won’t need to get much better, if any, to place here. Those three will be on top of almost everybody’s ticket in some combination as the form (such that it is) drops off precipitously. (1) GEOSEN PUNCH and (2) ROAD TO SPEAR will probably be next in the market.

Seoul Race 4: Class 3 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 75 Million

(5) YEONHUI HERO will be a warm favourite. He comes in having won at this class in a very quick race over 1400M on December 13^th when handy throughout. Two starts back he placed at this class and distance and with an apprentice claiming 4kg, he can win today. (3) SEOBU CHAMP was an also-ran in a Queens’ Tour race over 2000M last October but has a 4^th and a 1^st in two starts returning to shallower waters. The win was at this class over 1400M, but she is a two-time winner at this trip and like Yeonhui Hero, her light weight, brings her right into this. (7) GWANAKSAN LEO was 2^nd at big odds on December 28^th, at this class and distance and warrants some respect here. (8) ULTRA DRAGON and (9) WORLD BLAME others in the hunt.

Seoul Race 5: Class 5 (1800M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(2) MR.CARA has run 2^nd in both his last two outings both at 1700M. That brings him up in class but there is little to fear here, the two turns seems to suit him, and he can measure up at what should be at least an each-way price. (3) TANGGEURI is yet to win in thirty-two starts but it’s not impossible that could change here. He has no fewer than eighteen top five finishes, including each of his last four, all at this class and distance, and this may be is best chance yet to come out on top. (11) SEUNGNI BAROWS was a touch disappointing last time out but was going well prior to that and can be given another chance on what is his first try at 1800M. (9) STEEPLE and (6) SAVANA CHARLIE are other place chances.

Seoul Race 6: Class 5 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(3) DANAEUN STAR came from off the pace to score on debut in a decent time over 1300M, justifying favourite status after a good trial. He is up in class and slightly in trip today, but neither should be a problem; he comes down in weight and can make it two from two. (9) POWERFUL KNIGHT is up in class following his maiden win, in his case over 1400M on December 28^th when on pace throughout. Before that he was an also-ran in the G2 Breeders’ Cup Rookie and with the in-form CC Wong staying on, he can be a danger. (2) FOREVER GIL won at start number two over 1200M on December 21^sr. Up in class and down in weight he draws well to be on the speed again and can measure up. (6) BLISS STAR and (7) TIGER ROAR are others in the hunt in a decent race for the level.

Seoul Race 7: Class 5 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 45 Million

(2) COMPLETE DIVA won on debut over 1200M in November, leading all the way, before finishing 3^rd on her first try at this class at 1300M on December 21^st when not leading but on pace. She takes on (a few of) the boys for the first time, but that means a low weight and from a good draw, she can lead and potentially go all the way. (10) G FLEX similarly scored on debut in November with an all the way score and then fell away to 5^th having led over 1400M on his first try at this class on January 4^th. He has the challenge of a wide gate here but with a touch of luck at the start, he can be on the speed and be a big danger. (11) NAEGILUI ACE enters off a 2^nd place at this class and distance on December 27^th and while he was well beaten by a good winner, shouldn’t be too far away here. (8) CUPID CHIC and (3) TIGER K among a few other place chances.

Seoul Race 8: Class 4 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(10) DANGDAECHOWOL took thirteen goes to get his maiden win, but he evidently enjoyed it as he promptly followed up with another. Both were over 1700M at class 5 level and he then showed he belongs at this class with a very close 2^nd place at 1800M on December 28^th. He comes up 2.5kg in weight from that, but he won under more at class 5 and he can win here. (5) GAMSAUI HIM is yet to win but was a very close 2^nd on debut over 1000M before putting in a fair effort in Listed juvenile company. Most recently he worked home well to run 3^rd in a quick race over 1200M and while he takes a significant jump up in trip, it may be what he needs. (6) COMPLETE BRO similarly tackles two turns for the first time. He was a solid 2^nd at this class over 1400M last time out and can be in this. (11) HERO JJANG and up in class last start winner (4) HEEMANGBAND other sin the frame.

Seoul Race 9: Class 4 (1400M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(4) FREE THE ONE was a winner on debut and has been working back towards another, most recently when a close 2^nd at this class and distance on December 21^st. He has the steadier of 58kg to contend with here, but he can prevail. (8) JEONGSANG HERO ran 2^nd on debut in November, before winning at start number two over 1200M on December 21^st when leading all the way. He gets another crack at this class and there is no reason why the 1400M can’t suit. (11) SAENAE FIGHTER is rapidly up in class having won his latest two, but they were both over this distance and he can be competitive. (9) NAOL PASS and (7) MIGHTY DASH among others to consider.

Seoul Race 10: Class 4 (1200M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(3) BEST PITCH won his first three between August and November before seeing his run come to an end when 3^rd over 1400M on his first try at this class in December 20^th. He likes to settle behind the speed and run on, and he can return to winning ways today. (1) HANSEN STAR enters off back-to-back 2^nd places at this class and distance, most recently on November 23^rd when leading for most of the way and beating three of today’s rivals. He will be on pace again and once more should be in this a long way. (7) MIGHTY LOVE was one of those behind Hansen Star in November and has since registered a class and distance 2^nd her own on December 27^th. She continues under a light weight and can be in the finish again. (6) WONDERFUL PASS and (10) SEMYEONG DIA others who can be in this on at least a place line.

Seoul Race 11: Class 2 (1600M) Handicap / KRW 90 Million

The 2024 Korean Oaks winner (7) ECLIPSE BERRY returned from more than a year’s absence last November to be well beaten over 1200M, but she was more like her old self when a close 2^nd at 1400M on December 13^th, leading for most of the way. She comes up to a mile, a distance at which she is one for one, and third-up this preparation, she can be peaking and can make an overdue return to winning ways. (9) MUSKET DAY is the danger. A winner of three of his last four, he is up in class following victory at 1800M on December 6^th when settling midfield and running on. He too is one for one at the mile and down 3.5kg in weight, must be taken seriously. (2) CHAN FAMOUS is also up in class after a last start win. That was his second over a mile and while he will need a strong pace to target as he likes to come from the back, he is down 4kg and can offer some each-way appeal. (5) J S ROAD and (10) USEUNG CONCORD others in the frame.